title: Role of microRNAs in atrial fibrillation: new insights and perspectives.
abstract: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules that negatively regulate gene expression of their targets at the post-transcriptional levels. They typically affect the mRNA stability or translation finally leading to the repression of target gene expression. Notably, it is thought that miRNAs are crucial for regulating gene expression during heart diseases, such as atrial fibrillation (AF). Numerous studies identify specific miRNA expression profiles associated to different histological features of AF, both in animal models and in patients. Therefore, we review the latest experimental approaches from the perspective of understanding miRNA gene expression regulatory networks in AF. In addition, miRNAs have also emerged as possible therapeutic targets for the treatment of AF. In this review, we discuss the experimental evidence about miRNAs both as potential non-invasive early diagnostic markers and as novel therapeutic targets in AF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China. ayskh3@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Kai-Hu
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tao
authors.forename: Jing-Jing
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Jun-Xu
authors.initials: JX
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Sheng-Song
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Hong-Ying
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Zhan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D064752:Atrial Remodeling; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002309:Cardiology / Q000639:trends; D003094:Collagen / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D015291:Transforming Growth Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D035683:MicroRNAs; D015291:Transforming Growth Factors; D003094:Collagen
keywords: AF; AGO; Argonaute; Atrial fibrillation; CTGF; Cx; ECMs; Epigenetics; HF; Heart; MI; MiRNAs; MicroRNAs; Myocardial infarction; RISC; RNA-induced silencing complex; SR; Sinus rhythm; Spry1; TGF-β1; atrial fibrillation; connective tissue growth factor; connexin; extracellular matrix; heart failure; microRNAs; sprouty 1; transforming growth factor-β1